China was last night accused of offering residents of a London street a £100,000 bounty to turn in a Hong Kong activist.
Exiled pro-independence campaigner Tony Chung accused the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) of trying to ‘instil fear’ in dissidents after he was alerted to ‘wanted’ letters that arrived from Hong Kong this week.
The crudely printed notes offer a reward of one million HK dollars for ‘any information on this wanted person’ or to anyone who can ‘take him to the Chinese embassy’.
It accuses the student of ‘incitement by secession’ and colluding with foreign powers against China.
The letters were sent to residents of a London neighbourhood linked to other campaigners.
The Mail has chosen not to reveal the exact location so as not to put other exiles in danger. Given the targeting and the nature of the accusations, critics said the CCP, or its agents, must have had a hand in them.
In December Mr Chung, who fled the Chinese territory in 2023 to seek asylum in Britain, was listed publicly along with five other overseas pro-democracy activists by Hong Kong authorities.
Last night, he told the Mail that the letters were just the latest malicious tactic from the CCP to ‘intimidate’ those considered anti-regime living abroad.
The letter accuses Tony Chung of ‘incitement by secession’ and colluding with foreign powers against China.
The crudely printed notes offer a reward of one million HK dollars for ‘any information on this wanted person’ or to anyone who can ‘take him to the Chinese embassy’
Royal Mint Court, the site of the proposed new Chinese Embassy in London, Britain, 11 February 2025
‘As far as I understand, similar incidents have happened in the past,’ he said. ‘At the same time, various forms of transnational repression have also taken place.
‘I believe that the perpetrators aim not only to instil fear in the direct targets but also to intimidate the entire overseas community, putting even greater pressure on ordinary individuals who are not well-known.’
He continued: ‘A few of us Hong Kong exiles recently met with the Foreign Office, who asked us what measures could be taken and which countries’ approaches they could refer to. However, I believe the Government should not just rely on others’ opinions but must take more proactive and decisive action.’
Tory MP Alicia Kearns, former chairman of the foreign affairs committee, said: ‘The Chinese Community Party’s attempt to exert influence continues to grow in Britain. Intimidation, blackmail, bribery and even outright violence all form part of their arsenal to suppress and punish dissenters.
‘Attempts to bribe Hong Kong democracy activist Tony Chung’s neighbours to deliver him to the Chinese embassy are unsurprising but betray an increased confidence by the CCP.
‘Placing bounties on UK residents’ heads and attempting to kidnap them for non-judicial punishment in China is not just a matter of security, it is a matter of sovereignty. How can any British government tolerate such actions from a foreign state?’
Benedict Rogers, CEO of the Hong Kong Watch charity, suffered similar intimidation tactics from 2018 to 2020. Last night, he said: ‘From early 2018, I received between 20 and 30 anonymous threatening letters, stamped and postmarked from Hong Kong.
‘The first was one with a picture of me from the internet with the caption ‘watch him’, which was sent to all my neighbours in London. They told them that I was a dangerous individual and to keep an eye on me. [My neighbours] were supportive, thankfully, but those letters went on for a couple of years.’
In December Mr Chung, who fled the Chinese territory in 2023 to seek asylum in Britain, was listed publicly along with five other overseas pro-democracy activists by Hong Kong authorities
Tony Chung posing in Hong Kong (pictured on August 8, 2020)
Mr Chung, the former leader of the disbanded Studenlocalism was arrested under charges violating the National Security Law, in Hong Kong in 2020
He continued: ‘My mother received letters in a different part of the country instructing her to tell me to cease my activities with Hong Kong Watch. They were designed to intimidate and scare me – when they realised it wasn’t having any effect, they moved on to others. Two years ago, I received a letter from the Hong Kong police threatening me with a prison sentence.
‘There are others who have been harassed by email and on social media. It’s an extremely concerning development and the Government and security agencies must take this seriously.’
The latest incident has prompted more unease over China’s plans for a ‘mega-embassy’ on the site of the Royal Mint near Tower Bridge.
Critics, including a US congressional committee, have said it poses security and espionage concerns for Britain, and that the embassy may embolden the CCP to continue any nefarious activities abroad.
‘The scale of this new mega-embassy – it will be the biggest in Europe – means it will be a super spy base,’ said Mr Rogers. ‘It will be used for espionage and transnational repression. It will be a threat to our values and our national security.’
He added: ‘It’s clear that this government is kowtowing to Beijing in a way that is quite staggering. They’ve gone further than I expected them to, with very little to show for it in terms of trade deals or economic growth.’
Mr Rogers added that targeted Hong Kongers should be given more help, including detailed security advice and a police contact.
Commenting on the latest wanted letters, Luke de Pulford of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China said: ‘This is yet another reason to oppose the colossal spy-base China is trying to build at Tower Bridge. Among other things, they want to use it as a detention facility for dissidents in the UK.’
Protesters gather at the site of the former Royal Mint in London on February 8, 2025, to demonstrate against a proposal to move China’s embassy to this site
A protestor is detained by the police during a demonstration against the proposed site of the new Chinese Embassy, outside Royal Mint Court, in London, Britain, February 8, 2025
Protestors from various groups attend a demonstration against the proposed site of the new Chinese Embassy, outside Royal Mint Court, in London, Britain, February 8, 2025
Chancellor Rachel Reeves was in China in January and Keir Starmer is planning a trip this year
Last night, MPs from all parties rounded on ministers, accusing them of selling out to China on human rights because of a desire to strike a trade deal. Chancellor Rachel Reeves was in China in January and Keir Starmer is planning a trip this year.
Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: ‘It’s absolutely appalling. [Labour] should get off their knees and tell the Chinese there will be no new embassy – and arrest and prosecute anyone involved with these letters.
‘The CCP think the UK is weak and they will push, bully and chase dissidents.
‘They’ve already been doing it – now they’re stepping it up, and the Government aren’t doing anything about it.’
Labour MP Phil Brickell added: ‘If these accusations are true, we must make clear to [Chinese president] Xi Jinping that such attacks on people who have fled to Britain to escape Chinese state repression will not be tolerated under any circumstances.’
Chloe Cheung, a 19-year-old student and Hong Kong activist, was targeted in December. She described the letters as ‘terrifying’, adding: ‘If the Government doesn’t stand up to them today, they’ll be dealing with something far worse tomorrow.’
Mark Sabah, director of the Committee for the Freedom of Hong Kong, said: ‘How many anonymous letters need to be sent before it becomes a concern to police and the Government?’
A Met Police spokesman said it did not comment on individual cases but advised anyone with ‘specific or ongoing concerns over their safety’ to contact the police, or call 999 if in immediate danger.
A Government spokesman said: ‘Attempts by foreign governments to coerce, intimidate, harass, or harm their critics overseas, undermining democracy and the rule of law, are unacceptable. We encourage anyone to report concerns to the police.’
The Chinese embassy in London did not respond to a request for comment.
